Vacuum cleaner



June 27, 1939.. I L. B ALT 2,164,002

vAuuM CLEANER K Y Filed July 22. 1938 I 17 vejm" LLOYD 6 6,4m'

Patented June27, 1939 PATENT ori-'ics 1 VACUUM CLENER.

' uya n. snc, chestnut am, um., mum tu B. F. Sturtevgnt Company, Boston,

vAlllllililtiimv Illy 22, 1938. Serial No. 220,669

This invention relates to vacuum cleaners and relates more particularly to handle supporting and 'adjusting mechanism ior vacuum cleaners.

The handle o1' the ordinary vacuum cleaner is 5 carried by a yoke which extends around the exterior of the motor, blower and brush housing, and which resembles a ball for a bucket. Such a support is not only unsightly but provides dime l culties in adjusting the handle in several positions.

This invention provides a cleaner of more pleasing appearance by enclosing the handle supporting mechanism entirely within the housing for the cleaning mechanism. This enables a more satisfactory handle supporting mechanism to be used and provides for alternatively slip` porting the handle in a. vertical position which is desirable when the cleaner is not in use; atan angle in sweeping position, and in horizontal position for cleaning under beds and sofas, etc.

An object of the invention is to improve the appearance and utility of vacuum cleaners. Another object of the'invention is to enclose w the handle, supporting mechanism -of a vacuum cleaner, within the housing enclosing the cleaning mechanism.

Another object of the invention is to provideA for both vertical and horizontal adjustments of the handle of a vacuum cleaner.

Other-objectsof the invention will be apparent from the following description taken together with the drawing. v

. The invention will ynow be described' with refi erence to the drawing. of which:

Fig. 1* is a sideI elevation with a portion of the housing forthe cleaning mechanism omitted for disclosing' the handle supporting mechanism, voi! onen-embodiment of an assembled vacuum cleaner,

wg-according toY this invention;

n Figi 211s a plan view looking downwardly on the cleaner of Fig. 1, but with the dust bag omitted the handle in section, and a portion of the housing omitted for disclosing details of the handle supporting mechanism;

5 Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the`handle supporting mechanism and is similar to the portion omitting the housing of Fig. 1, except that the handle is shown held in cleaning position while Fig. 1 illustrates the handle held in vertical position, and

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3 except that the cleaner handle is illustrated as held in horizontal position.

'Ihe stream-lined housing Il encloses the usual l u motor |I and the blower and brush (not shown) associated therewith.

portion through which the handle I3 extends and in which the handle is movable to 'take the positions shown by Figs. l, 3 and 4.

The lower-portions of the two vertical plates I4 are supported at I5 and I8 tothe cleaner frame, and their front upper portions are connected together by the transverse pin I1. The two plates Il contain corresponding vertical slots Il which connect at their upper ends with the slots Il which extend 'downwardly at angles to the slots' I3. The slots I8 connect at their midportion with the slots 20 which extend downwardly below the slots I! and at greater angles 15 to the slots Il.

The lower portion of the handle I I contains the two spaced transverse pins 2|, the .ends of which extend outwardly from the handle. The

lower portion of the handle I3 is fitted between 20 the Dltes I4 with the ends of the pins 2| and 22 adapted for movement in the slots Il, I9 and 20. The upper edges of the plates I4 are in substantial alignment with the slot I2 and extend the length thereof for guiding the handle in the 25 g it is ilrst lifted vertically a slight distance and then drawn backwardly. 'Ihe slight vertical 35 movement aligns ythe upper pin 2| with the slot 20 and when the handle is drawn backwardly, the pin 2| rides in the slot 20 while the lower pin 221s held in the slot I8. This places the `cleaner handle in the position shown by Fig. 3. To restore the handle to its vertical position, it is only 0, i

necessary to move it forwardly to vertical position upon which the pins 2| and 22 slide downwardly in the slots I8 as shown'by Fig. 1.

To place the handle in a. horizontal position vas shown by Fig. 4, or in positions approaching lthe horizontal, for cleaning under low furniture,

the handle is lifted to its extreme vertical position at which time the upper pin 42| is in alignment with the slots I9. The handle is then drawn backwardly and the pin 2| rides in the slots Il while the pin 22 remains in the slots Il. To restore the handle to its vertical position, it is only necessary to again lift the handle to its extremevertical position and then to release it u The housing In has a 1on- Agfitudinal slot I2 in its upper following which the pins 2| and 22 slide in the vertical slots I8.

When the handle is in ordinary cleaning position with the upper pin 2| in the slot 20, the handle is movable from vertical position to the position shown by Fig. 3 and when the handle is released, it assumes the position shown by Fig. 3, which position is one handy for resumption of cleaning.

When the upper pin 2| is in the slots I9 as shown by Fig. 4, it is movable from vertical position to the horizontal position shown by Fig. 4, but the pin 2| would ordinarily not be placed in the slot I9 except when it is desirable to place the handle in a horizontal position as shown by Fig. 4, or`to place it in any position between the horizontal one and the position shown by Fig. 3.

The handle adjusting mechanism through -being enclosed within thecleaner housing provides not only a cleaner and more pleasing appearance but this arrangement enables the assembly more easily to be kept clean. Furthermore, the handle supporting and adjusting mechanism is more effective and is simpler and is more easily and cheaply manufactured. Heretofore, relatively complicated auxiliary mechanism protruding from the sweeper housing and adapted to be tripped by foot or hand movement has been provided for releasing the handle from one position and for enabling it to be placed in another position. This invention is seen to provide a simpler, better appearing and more satisfactory structure by eliminating such auxiliary levers and their cooperating mechanism.

While one embodiment of .the invention has been described for the purpose of illustration, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the exact arrangement and apparatus disclosed, as many departures may be made by those skilled in the art Without departing from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:A

1. In a vacuum cleaner, a cover for the cleaning mechanism having a longitudinal slot in its upper portion, a handle movable in said slot for moving and guiding said cleaner, a handle support attached to said cleaner under said slot, said support containing a plurality of groups of slots, and means forming extensions on said handle movable in the slots of said groups for providing adjustment of said handle in a plurality of positions.

2. In a vacuum cleaner, a cover for the cleaning mechanism having a longitudinal slot in its upper portion, a handle movable in said slot for moving and guiding said cleaner, a pair of spaced plates attached to said cleaner under said slot,

3. In a vacuum cleaner, a cover for the cleaning mechanism having a longitudinal slot in its upper portion, a handle movable in said slot for moving and guiding said cleaner, a handle support attached to said cleaner under said slot, said support containing substantially vertical slots and other slots connecting with said vertical slots and extending downwardly at an angle to said vertical slots, and means forming extensions from said handle movable in said vertical and said other slots for variably positioning said handle.

4. In a vacuum cleaner, a cover for the cleaning mechanism having a longitudinal slot in its upper portion, a handle movable in said slot for moving and guiding said cleaner, spaced handle supports attached to said cleaner under said slot, each of said supports containing a substantially vertical slot, a second slot connecting with said vertical slot and extending downwardly at an angle thereto, and a third slot connecting with said vertical slot below said second slot, and means forming projections from said handle movable in said vertical slots and said second and third slots for variably positioning said handle.

5. In a vacuum cleaner, a cover for the cleaning mechanism having a longitudinal slot in its upper portion, a handle movable in said slot for moving and guiding said cleaner, a pair of spaced handle supports attached to said cleaner under said slot, each of said supports containing a substantially vertical slot, a second slot connecting with said vertical slot and extending downwardly at an angle thereto, and a third slot connecting with said vertical slot below said second slot and extending at an angle to said vertical slot greater than said angle, and means forming projections from said handle movable in said vertical slots and said second and third slots for variably positioning said handle.

6. In a vacuum cleaner, a cover for the cleaning mechanism having a longitudinal slot in its upper portion, a handle movable in said slot for moving and guiding said cleaner, a handle support attached to said cleaner under said slot, said support containing a plurality of slots, and means forming extensions on said handle movable in said slots for providing adjustment of said handle in a plurality of positions.

7.' In a vacuum cleaner, acover for the cleaning mechanism having a longitudinal slot in its upper portion, a handle movable in said slot for moving and guiding said cleaner, a handle support attached to said cleaner under said slot, said support containing a substantially vertical slot and other slots connecting with said vertical slot and extending downwardly at an angle to said vertical slot, and means forming extensions from said handle movable in said vertical slof. and in said other slots for variably posltiomng .said handle.

LLOYD B. SALT. 

